- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have called for the inclusion of women, youths, and People Living with Disability in governance
- The groups warned against the exclusion of women, youths, and People Living with Disability from governance
- A senior lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at Nile University in Nigeria, Dr. Iroro S. Izu, mentioned what exclusion may lead to ahead of the 2027 election
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja – Leaders in the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have warned against the continued exclusion of women, youths, and People Living with Disability from governance ahead of the 2027 elections.
A senior lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at Nile University in Nigeria, Dr. Iroro S. Izu, urged on Nigerian government to ensure a rapid approach to enforcing inclusivity in law-making.
Photo credit: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Source: UGC
Izu also called on the government to ensure more women are involved in the entire political process, beginning with the National Assembly.
The political scientist, the youth aspect has tremendously gained some successes; hence, “let us do it also for the women.”
He stated this while speaking during the 2nd Annual Otivism Lecture to mark the 62nd birthday of a Pro-democracy activist and development expert, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, on Friday, September 5, 2025, in Abuja.
According to the statement made available to Legit.ng, Dr Izu said:
“In Nigeria, inclusive governance faces precarious conditions marked by limited participation of marginalized groups, particularly women, youths, and people with disabilities, in economic, social, and mainly political processes.
“This exclusion hinders effective representation and decision-making, potentially leading to social and political instability. Efforts to promote inclusion are often hampered by institutional, individual, and socio-cultural or patriarchal barriers, requiring comprehensive and collaborative interventions to extirpate.
“There is no doubt that the absence of inclusivity in governance has had dismal consequences on the Nigerian state. Exclusion from governance has created a sense of injustice, marginalization, and resentment, all of which have the potential of fueling social unrest, instability, and enthroning a state devoid of real patriotism, citizen loyalty, and collective action towards progress.”
The pro-democracy activist warned that if the vast majority of God-fearing people, religious, and professionals from all walks of life shy away from active participation in politics due to the notion that it is a dirty game, they stand the risk of leaving the terrain to charlatans to administer the country.
In his own, a prominent civil society leader, Comrade Ezenwa Nwagwu, said the struggle for inclusivity is a long-drawn battle.
Nwagwu added that the system the country is operating is patriarchal in complexion.
2027 elections: Female Presidency in Sight
Recall that leading political parties in Nigeria, including the APC, PDP, and LP, were urged to amend their constitutions to improve female representation in politics
The issue of women’s representation in Nigerian politics is increasingly pressing, with current statistics revealing only a small percentage of seats in the National Assembly, among others
IPAC’s national chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, stated that addressing cultural and religious barriers to women’s political participation needs constitutional reforms within parties.
Youths & women must be heard: Aisha Yesufu declares
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that Aisha Yesufu, a socio-political activist, called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition to ensure meaningful inclusion of youths and women in key decision-making positions
Yesufu frowned at a coalition front that prioritises the interests of older politicians, advocating for youths to take a more active role in leadership.
Netizens highlighted the role of past coalitions, fearing the new coalition may not live up to expectations.
Source: Legit.ng
